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About

Dark Star Orchestra on Tour

More than just a tribute band, the seven members of the Dark Star Orchestra are dedicated to the Grateful Dead live experience, best known for playing full setlists picked from their 2,000+ concerts. The Grateful Dead's live show is legendary, a catalog of improvisation traded and celebrated across decades. The Dark Star Orchestra re-creates the Dead's intra-band interplay and pastoral guitar soloing. Remarkably devoted and true to the source material, DSO tailors their arrangements, gear and tempos to the era of the evening. Some nights find the DSO creating original setlists, playing sets from the Jerry Garcia Band or even jamming with members of the Dead themselves.

Dark Star Orchestra in Concert

Formed in Chicago in 1997, Dark Star Orchestra provides generations of fans with the chance to experience entire Grateful Dead sets, song by song. Named after "Dark Star," a part of the Dead's set known for exploratory jams, DSO rose to national prominence in 1998 when Mike Gordon and John Fishman of Phish joined them for a performance of the Dead's 1983 Halloween show. DSO promptly became a touring sensation: At 2,800 shows and counting, DSO have played more shows than the Grateful Dead themselves. They ultimately enlisted keyboardist Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends, the Other Ones and the 2003 touring version of the Dead. The DSO have played Bonnaroo and Milwaukee's SummerFest, and they've been hosting their own annual fests for years - the Dark Star Jubilee in Ohio and the Jam in the Sand in Jamaica. Perhaps the most important honor for DSO, though, is enlisting actual members of the Grateful Dead, having performed on stage accompanied by Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux, Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten. A 2018 show even found guitarist Jeff Mattson playing Jerry Garcia's custom-made guitar, "Wolf," which the Dead founder used for two decades.

Setlists

    1. 1.Feel Like a Stranger (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 2.They Love Each Other > (Jerry Garcia cover)
    3. 3.The Little Red Rooster (Willie Dixon cover)
    4. 4.Dire Wolf (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 5.Cassidy (Bob Weir cover)
    6. 6.Big Railroad Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover)
    7. 7.The Music Never Stopped (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 8.Don't Ease Me In (Henry Thomas cover)
  1. Set 1:

    1. 1.Ramble On Rose (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 2.Black-Throated Wind (Bob Weir cover)
    3. 3.Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 4.Beat It on Down the Line (Jesse Fuller cover)
    5. 5.Row Jimmy (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Jack Straw (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 7.Let It Rock (Chuck Berry cover)
    8. 8.Cumberland Blues (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.El Paso (Marty Robbins cover)
    10. 10.To Lay Me Down (Jerry Garcia cover)
    11. 11.Weather Report Suite (Grateful Dead cover)
    12. 12.China Doll (Grateful Dead cover)
  2. Set 2:

    1. 13.Ship of Fools (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 14.Big River (Johnny Cash cover)
    3. 15.Black Peter (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 16.Around and Around (Chuck Berry cover)
    5. 17.Dark Star Jam (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 18.Spanish Jam (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 19.U.S. Blues (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 20.Uncle John's Band (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 21.One More Saturday Night (Bob Weir cover)
  3. Encore

    1. 22.Casey Jones (Grateful Dead cover)
  1. Set 1:

    1. 1.Sugaree (Jerry Garcia cover)
    2. 2.Run for the Roses (Jerry Garcia cover)
    3. 3.Box of Rain (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 4.Next Time You See Me (Junior Parker cover)
    5. 5.Mission in the Rain (Jerry Garcia cover)
    6. 6.I'll Be With Thee ([traditional] cover)
    7. 7.That's What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton cover)
    8. 8.From the Heart of Me (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.Midnight Moonlight (Old & In the Way cover)
    10. 10.Like a Road Leading Home (Albert King cover)
    11. 11.Deal (Jerry Garcia cover)
  2. Set 2:

    1. 12.The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff cover)
    2. 13.The Strange Man (Dorothy Love Coates cover)
    3. 14.They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia cover)
    4. 15.Easy Wind (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 16.Lonesome and a Long Way From Home (Delaney & Bonnie cover)
    6. 17.Drums > (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 18.Space > (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 19.The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic cover)
    9. 20.Love the One You're With (Stephen Stills cover)
    10. 21.Tangled Up in Blue (Bob Dylan cover)
  3. Encore

    1. 22.Ripple (Grateful Dead cover)
  1. Set 1:

    1. 1.Alabama Getaway > (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 2.Promised Land (Chuck Berry cover)
    3. 3.They Love Each Other > (Jerry Garcia cover)
    4. 4.El Paso (Marty Robbins cover)
    5. 5.Tennessee Jed (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Cassidy (Bob Weir cover)
    7. 7.Althea > (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 8.Looks Like Rain (Bob Weir cover)
    9. 9.Far From Me (Grateful Dead cover)
    10. 10.The Music Never Stopped (Grateful Dead cover)
  2. Set 2:

    1. 11.China Cat Sunflower > (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 12.I Know You Rider > ([traditional] cover)
    3. 13.C.C. Rider (Elvis Presley cover)
    4. 14.Peggy-O ([traditional] cover)
    5. 15.Lost Sailor > (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 16.Saint of Circumstance > (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 17.Drums > (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 18.Space > (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 19.Wharf Rat > (Grateful Dead cover)
    10. 20.I Need a Miracle > (Grateful Dead cover)
    11. 21.Bertha > (Grateful Dead cover)
    12. 22.Good Lovin' (The Olympics cover)
  3. Encore

    1. 23.U.S. Blues (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 24.Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
    1. 1.Day Tripper (The Beatles cover)
    2. 2.West L.A. Fadeaway (Grateful Dead cover)
    3. 3.Beat It on Down the Line (Jesse Fuller cover)
    4. 4.Loose Lucy (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 5.My Brother Esau (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Keep On Growing (Derek and the Dominos cover)
    7. 7.Candyman (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 8.Passenger (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff cover)
    10. 10.Greatest Story Ever Told (Bob Weir cover)
  1. Set 2:

    1. 11.Man Smart, Woman Smarter (King Radio cover)
    2. 12.Mr. Charlie (Grateful Dead cover)
    3. 13.He's Gone (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 14.New Speedway Boogie (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 15.Drums > (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 16.Space > (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 17.Unbroken Chain (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 18.Going Down the Road Feeling Bad ([traditional] cover)
    9. 19.I'll Take a Melody (Frankie Miller cover)
    10. 20.The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion) (Grateful Dead cover)
  2. Encore

    1. 21.Volunteers (Jefferson Airplane cover)

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 1377 reviews
  • We had an excellent time .

    by Rob on 8/2/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    Darkstar always plays a great show . I have met them and they are very good people.

  • beautiful experience

    by ddog on 8/2/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    sat down with a bunch of friendly heads and played whisper down the alley— the first whisper: I love you. music blew my mind. Crowd vibes and music are a faithful recreation of an og dead show

  • It’s all about the Jam

    by Tee on 8/2/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    Just an awesome night of Grateful Dead music and fans dancing and meeting up with old and new friends!

  • Best Band

    by Planetjanet on 7/17/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    I LOVE DSO! The Depot is a fun venue where the music never stops 😉✌️

  • The Music Never Stops!

    by Uncle Gary on 7/17/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    Although it was not a recreated show. The 2 sets were incredible. Seen them about 15x now. They NEVER disappoint! A must see!

  • DSO always good

    by jambandguy on 6/27/23Boch Center Wang Theatre - BostonRating: 4 out of 5

    I opted for this instead of Fenway Dead and Co which would have been fine but as a veteran of many shows over the last 45 years I decided to leave well enough alone. DSO was more than a reasonable substitute for my fix....but still wish I went to Fenway lol. Boch center is amazing. Whay anyone (fans and bands) goes to the Orpheum is beyond me.

  • Amazing Show

    by Richie J on 6/26/23Boch Center Wang Theatre - BostonRating: 5 out of 5

    I have seen the band so many times. I can honestly say that the wang theater show on June 23, 2023 was by far one of the better shows ever. The band was on key with every song played. Made for a fantastic evening

  • Next best thing

    by K9 on 6/26/23Boch Center Wang Theatre - BostonRating: 5 out of 5

    I enjoyed the Grateful Dead for many years all over the country so probably 100 shows recently saw a dead and company and was like down. I am not blaming Bobby in the boys they’re just getting older like all of us. Dark star reminds me of the late 80s.

  • DSO awesome

    by Ripple NH on 6/26/23Boch Center Wang Theatre - BostonRating: 5 out of 5

    I had heard good things about DSO. Saw them at the Wang/Boch and they were great. They will nicely fill the hole Dead & Co is leaving. I encourage all my head friends to check them out.

  • Outstanding!

    by PeteyG on 6/24/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    DSO put on a fantastic show at the Boch Wang Center last night. Amazing sets and the inside of the venue could not be more beautiful. It was an excellent “pre-game” show for Dead & Co. playing at Fenway Park this weekend. Definitely catch DSO when they come to town. You won’t be disappointed! 💀🌹

  • Magical Show/Awesome Venue

    by Hammer on 5/26/23Penn's Peak - Jim ThorpeRating: 5 out of 5

    What an amazing show! DSO brought to life the magic of March 27, 1972 like no other! From the Bertha opener to the One More Saturday Night encore! They had that place cookin'!! It was also my first time at Penns Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA. What an awesome venue! A beautiful picturesque view of the sunset atop the mountain will be forever burned in my soul. Inside is an awesome & intimate plaxe to enjoy a show! Not a bad seat in the house! And for only a $15 upgrade I found myself in a luxury suite less that 10 feet from the stage on the balcony level with super comfycushioned theater style seating for an older head such as myself! Penns is by far the nicest and by far the nicest vemue i think i been to! Wish it was closer to home (we traveled 4 hrs to get there) but definitely worth it! I give the overall experience an A++ I cant wait to go back, or for my next DSO show!!

  • DSO rocked!

    by L. F. on 5/24/23The Capitol Theatre - Port ChesterRating: 5 out of 5

    Love them! They always put on an amazing show. Alabama Getaway was fire!!!

  • Great time with friends and family enjoying awesome music

    by Martin of Warwick on 5/23/23The Capitol Theatre - Port ChesterRating: 5 out of 5

    Love the venue. Peaceful crowd and nice staff. DSO plays the Dead beautifully.

  • Great show! One the best I've seen !

    by Blisss on 5/17/23The Ritz - RaleighRating: 5 out of 5

    I was hesitant because they were playing at the ritz and the ritz has terrible acoustics. But it was actually awesome. Their Sound guy knew what he was doing. Bravo!

  • Not a shot at the band, the venue is the worst

    by maDmiKe442 on 5/17/23The Ritz - RaleighRating: 2 out of 5

    My gripe isn't with the band, it's with the venue. DSO was spot on for a half-empty Ritz, and that's presumably due to a Mother's Day show. Yay, more room to jump around at the rail! The Ritz is the least friendly venue that Raleigh has to offer and a poor venue to host any jam band show and/or represent the scene. Everything is expensive these days but the Ritz probably hits you on the chin the hardest out of all the venues in this town. It wasn't that bad in the "before-times" but it (The Ritz) got really expensive after the concert industry kicked back up.

  • Awesome

    by Bert Mont on 5/17/23The Ritz - RaleighRating: 5 out of 5

    Fun show from 1973. Got a great Box of Rain and Dark Star!!

  • Great show! Nice venue!

    by Jonny Poz on 5/17/23The Ritz - RaleighRating: 5 out of 5

    DSO killed it tonight. The show rocked! The venue was nice...great sound, and the lounge are upstairs is very comfortable. The seating upgrade was a little pricey, but you get a theater style seat.

  • Almost Great

    by DSO Groupie on 5/15/23The Senate - ColumbiaRating: 4 out of 5

    DSO is an awesome group of performers; talented musicians that are best appreciated at smaller venues. The show was very good, but I personally prefer set-lists that include more stage time for Lisa Mackey! The venue - The Senate - was perfect size and the service at the bar was great. My only complaint is with their bag policy, which is arbitrary and too restrictive. I had a tiny flat clutch that measured one inch longer than the "paper cutout" used to determine if I could bring it in. Even though I removed the very few items in the clutch to demonstrate that I was not breeching any security concern, I was not allowed to enter the venue with it. Throughout the evening I noted other attendees that had been allowed to bring in bags that were larger than the one I was not allowed. I can only assume that another staff person had been more reasonable than the one at the door when I arrived.

  • Dark Star Orchestra at the refinery

    by CJ on 5/15/23The Senate - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    Took my youngest daughter to her first Dead like show. Great experience great venue !!! We had a blast and danced all night !!!

  • Very poor

    by Swede on 5/15/23The Senate - ColumbiaRating: 1 out of 5

    I have seen Dark Star Orchestra about 5 times. This was the worst. I prefer them to any current version of the Grateful Dead. However they took forever between almost every song. It was like they weren’t prepared. They took at least a 30 min break; like come on Jerry Garcia was not there. We know you’re not the Grateful Dead. I want to experience their music not their breaks. BTW I’ve seen the Grateful Dead w Jerry more than 50 times so I know what I’m talking about. Poor song selection and no flow from one song to another. On a scale from 1-10 it was a 3 we left during drums and space I’ve Never done that Ever. Also most followers are now in 50-60s. Starting at 7 and being done at 10 would be cool.